Suspected Russian mobster captured in Pattaya

Mark Lunev, 39, was captured outside his Baan Somprasong Condominium in Jomtien Beach Aug. 27. His arrest came after a request from the Russian Embassy to capture and extradite him.

Police said Lunev is wanted in Russia on multiple charges of extortion and money laundering. He is alleged to be a member of the Russian mafia.

Mark Lunev has been arrested in Pattaya at the request of Interpol.

Investigators found Lunev, in addition to his Russian passport, also holds a Cambodian passport for which he allegedly paid the equivalent of 3 million baht.

Immigration records show he made frequent trips in and out of the kingdom, usually to Cambodia where the money laundering is suspected to have occurred. His most-recent trip from Thailand on his Russian passport was in February 2013 and he re-entered the kingdom on his Cambodian passport July 19.

He also had a long-term visa for Thailand which allowed him to stay in the kingdom until June 2015. It was issued in Samut Prakan and has now been revoked.

This article was published in the Pattaya Mail newspaper on Friday September 5, 2014 (Vol. XXII No. 36).